Features

This combination of musicians is called “Big Fat Doug Belford Experience,” they rocked out a healthy list of covers for the appreciative crowd. The band was a combo of three members of a band called “Big Fat Daddy,” featuring Meri Schaefer, Brian Curtiss, John David Coppola on bass, and three others from Doug Belford Experience, which featured Doug Belford, Meri Schaefer, and Brian Curtiss. Meri Schaefer and Brian Curtiss play in both bands.

Sure, some of the songs are well-known covers from the heyday of rock and roll, but people dig those songs anyway. A beer or two feeds that love the staples in their rock list, including “Maneater” from Hall and Oates, “Psycho Killer” by the Talking Heads, and “Cinnamon Girl” by Neil Young. The tempo of the night stretched far and wide.


Manassas

The Rotary Club of Manassas hosted its 25th Annual Reverse Raffle on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at Bishop Russell Hall, 9290 Stonewall Road in Manassas. The highly anticipated event successfully raised over $20,000, benefitting Connections Family Resource Center, Medical Missionaries, and The Knights of Columbus – George Brent Council.

The evening featured a dinner catered by The Bone BBQ and honored Rotarian William “Bill” Burton, a dedicated club member since 1983, who sadly passed away on December 11, 2024. Attendees paid tribute to Burton’s contributions and his legacy within the Rotary community.


This is a ticketed event with limited availability, and your ticket includes one drink, so don’t miss out!

Want to see more awesome events like this? Submit your own for FREE! Just fill out this form: https://form.jotform.com/221630757468058. It’s super easy—just enter the event details, and we’ll take care of the rest!


Pets

If you’re looking for a loyal companion to add to your family, Groot might just be the perfect match! This adorable three-year-old arrived at Spotsylvania County Animal Shelter as a stray, and staff are still getting to know him.

Groot may take a little time to warm up, often appearing confused until he gets to know you. He could use some confidence building, but with the right family, he’ll surely come out of his shell. His interactions with other dogs and cats are still being assessed, but updates will be available soon.


Press Release

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is seeking feedback from residents and travelers on a Strategically Targeted Affordable Roadway Solutions (STARS) study assessing potential safety, operational, transit, and bicycle/pedestrian improvements along Hoadly Road (Route 642) between Route 234 (Dumfries Road) and Prince William Parkway (Route 294).

Hoadly Road, a key corridor in Prince William County, carries an average of 25,000 vehicles per day with a posted speed limit of 50 mph. The STARS study aims to identify potential improvements to enhance traffic flow, increase safety, and support multimodal transportation in the area.


Fredericksburg

The City of Fredericksburg Planning Commission invites residents to participate in a Comprehensive Plan Community Meeting on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Walker-Grant Center at 210 Ferdinand Street.

This meeting provides an essential opportunity for the community to review and offer feedback on the draft Comprehensive Plan. The plan outlines the city’s long-term guiding policies and vision for the future, focusing on key areas such as housing, transportation, environmental stewardship, and quality-of-life issues that will shape the built environment over the next two decades.


News

Schools across the region will be closed on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, as a winter storm moves through the area, bringing snow and hazardous travel conditions.

King George County Schools will be closed and have designated the day as an Asynchronous Learning Day. 12-month employees are expected to report to work on time.


News

Prince William County’s Executive, Christopher Shorter, unveiled his $2 billion budget to the Board of County Supervisors on Tuesday night. He hopes to continue funding public schools, add staff positions, invest in technology, and provide salary increases.

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